Maranatha High School hires new headmaster

PASADENA - Maranatha High School has hired a new headmaster to lead the private Christian institution, the school announced Friday.

David Gyertson will assume his duties May 1, but will visit the campus periodically before then to participate in strategic planning and meet students, parents and staff, Maranatha said in a press release.

A former president at three Christian universities, Gyertson most recently worked as a professor at Regent University in Virginia.

The Maranatha board selected him after a unanimous recommendation by a search committee.

"We are pleased to have someone of Dr. Gyertson's experience, training and character to help lead Maranatha High School into its next season of service to the greater Pasadena educational communities and beyond," board president John Davis said in a statement.

Maranatha officials did not immediately return calls for comment about the appointment late Friday.

Gyertson succeeds Chet Crane, who was head of school.

Maranatha students organized protests last May over the dismissal of a popular history teacher, reportedly because of budget reasons.